Climate Change Solutions From Biomass, Bioenergy and Biomaterials

Bioenergy conversion technologies are well developed but mainly utilize feedstocks from solid and liquid organic waste streams which have limited supplies. The socio-economic potential for bioenergy is not always being fully realised in many countries and sector growth has been slower than anticipated. Energy cropping is becoming better understood but it must be ecologically sustainable, environmentally acceptable to the public, and the delivered costs ($/GJ) need to be lower than for fossil fuels. Production of biomaterials is also limited by the costs of the biomass feedstock which need to be reduced by higher crop yields, lower inputs, more sustainable production and improved transport methods. More efficient conversion plant designs, simplified resource consent procedures and feedstock supply security will reduce project investment risks and reduce reliance on government support mechanisms in the longer term. Carbon trading will provide additional revenue as will seeking higher value multi-products from the biomass resource. Future opportunities for biomass include development of bio-refineries, atmospheric carbon “scrubbing ” and the growing trend towards small scale, distributed energy systems leading towards a hydrogen economy